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Independent Evaluation of the Media Freedom Coalition

Aida Al Kaisy, Daniel Skillings, Ivana Jiménez Barrios

Paris: Aleph Strategies; Media Freedom Coalition (2025), 62 pp.

"The evaluation found that the MFC has made notable contributions to media freedom and journalist safety over the past five years. It has played a role in encouraging some Member States to strengthen their media freedom policies and legislation. The MFC has also influenced state actors through diplo ... matic and advocacy efforts, maintaining high-level political attention on media freedom. Direct interventions, legal guidance, and engagement with embassy networks have contributed to journalist protection efforts at the local level. Furthermore, the MFC has strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination, bringing together governments, civil society, and legal experts. However, the evaluation also identified several areas for improvement. While the MFC provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation, its engagement with members on domestic media freedom policies is voluntary and lacks a structured approach for supporting and tracking commitments. Joint advocacy statements have a greater impact locally than internationally and are often perceived as lacking boldness and clear outcomes. While the MFC has addressed high-profile cases, its focus has sometimes overshadowed broader, systemic media freedom challenges. Engagement with Rights-Holders and organisations working on the ground has been limited, impacting the relevance and sustainability of its strategies. Coordination and collaboration within the MFC are foundational, particularly through diplomatic networks and the development of emergency visa schemes. However, decision-making is often reactive, affecting stakeholder trust. The MFC’s membership is perceived as predominantly Northern-led, and there is potential to leverage its diverse membership more effectively. Knowledge management and information-sharing need strengthening to ensure a deeper understanding of media freedom issues among Member States. The high-level legal expertise of the HLP is underutilised. Clarity around decision-making processes among Member States varies, influencing trust-based collaboration. While engagement at the local level through embassies is effective, it requires more structured guidance and support. Coordination between Member States, the CN, and the HLP remains limited in some areas. In terms of sustainability, the current governance model, particularly the annual rotation of Executive Group co-chairs, can present challenges for knowledge retention and continuity. Funding modalities are complex, leading to perceptions of uneven distribution and impacting trust and coordination. While the MFC has developed working relationships with similar coalitions, more formalised collaboration could maximise resource efficiency. The limited engagement with Rights-Holders influences the visibility and perceived effectiveness of the MFC’s work." (Key findings and conclusions, pages 2-3) more

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End Term evaluation of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) programme support 2018-2024. Final report

Greg Moran, Marko Gideon

Sundbyberg: Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) (2025), x, 59, 28 pp.

"The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) was established in 1995 as a self-regulatory body to oversee and promote media ethics and resolve complaints over media practice. MCT’s activities have since expanded to include training and advocacy on laws, policies, and protecting key rights for the media. S ... more

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How Do We Know What Works in Preventing Violent Extremism? Evidence and Trends in Evaluation from 14 Countries

Sarah Bressan, Sophie Ebbecke, Lotta Rahlf

Berlin: Global Public Policy Institute (GPPI) (2024), 70 pp.

"In response to high-profile attacks by violent extremists, the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) has drawn increasing attention and funding since the early 2000s. Today, countries in all regions across the globe have put in place dedicated policies and measures to prevent ... more

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Evaluation of the BMAP-Forward Activity

Sarah Eissler, Micheal Buehler, Brenda Pearson, Miodrag Bogdanovic, Anida Soko, Arben Qirezi

Washington, DC: USAID; Integra Government Services International (2024), 165 pp.

"Activity Description: The Balkan Media Assistance Program to Foster Organizational Readiness While Advancing Resilient Development (BMAP-FORWARD) is a $13 million regional Activity (2022-2028) that aims to strengthen the independence and resilience of media outlets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo ... , Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Evaluation Purpose: USAID/Europe and Eurasia Bureau requested a mid-term performance evaluation of BMAP-FORWARD to understand which approaches, tools, and interventions are successfully contributing to planned outcomes according to the Activity’s three key objectives: 1) Increase strategic business practices of key media partners to operate as viable enterprises and better understand their markets and audiences; 2) Reinforce the ability of content producers to produce data-driven content, engage wider audiences, improve digital security efforts, and expand reach across the region; and 3) Foster stronger partnerships between media outlets and the technology, commercial, and entrepreneurial sectors to advance solutions on common challenges in the information space. Evaluation Design: Mixed methods and non-experimental evaluation design approaches, including Expert Consultations and Outcome Harvesting, were employed to collect and analyze primary and secondary data, including reviewing 140 documents, conducting 51 key informant interviews with experts, 47 in-depth interviews with recipients of assistance, an online Expert Survey (n=63), and conducting 13 interviews and an online validation survey (n=48) to substantiate outcome stories. All data were triangulated to inform the evidence base to develop each finding and conclusion. Key Findings: BMAP-FORWARD’s tailored and localized approach is a key strength of its ability to provide effective, useful, and timely assistance, which has strengthened Key Media Partners’ (KMPs’) shift towards strategic planning, ability to pursue diversified revenue sources, improve content production and technology use to engage wider audiences, produce data-driven content using new software, and engage in cross-border collaborations. BMAP-FORWARD assistance has strengthened KMPs’ digital security practices and protocols, although with room for improvement to sustain this support. While BMAPFORWARD has made inroads to foster partnerships between media and non-traditional actors, key factors inhibit progress towards this Activity Objective (Objective 3). Key Recommendations: BMAP-FORWARD should: 1) continue to employ the highly tailored approach to learn KMPs’ needs, co-create solutions and action plans, identify resources to implement solutions, and present new ideas; 2) consider providing more opportunities for intentional engagement for peer-to-peer learning for newsroom staff from different outlets, including non-KMPs and different media across the region; 3) consider investing in strengthening in-house expertise capacity or identify long-term solutions for each KMP to navigate the evolving digital security challenges; and 4) consider designing and marketing sessions at forums geared towards facilitating potential partnerships between private sector actors and KMPs, which can be followed by ongoing assistance to support KMPs in navigating how to structure partnerships." (Abstract) more

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Building Trusted Media in a Fragile Setting: An Evaluation of Radio Ndeke Luka in Central African Republic

Jeffrey Conroy-Krutz

Michigan State University (2024), 8 pp.

"Can the impact of a news radio station on a highly vulnerable population in a crisis-affected country be measured? The installation of new FM transmitters for Radio Ndeke Luka in Beloko, Birao, and Obo in the Central African Republic offered an opportunity to carry out a field study measuring the i ... mpact of our radio station before and after its introduction in these remote regions of the country. The results of this study reveal a tangible impact and a shift in listeners’ perceptions, particularly regarding misinformation. The Central African Republic, marked by a weak central state, widespread poverty, and recurring intercommunal conflicts, is particularly vulnerable to misinformation. Radio Ndeke Luka, a project of Fondation Hirondelle in CAR, plays a crucial role by broadcasting reliable news 24/7 in both French and Sango across the country. Thanks to funding from the European Union, new FM transmitters for RNL were installed between December 2021 and April 2022 in remote areas of the Central African Republic, specifically in Beloko, Birao, and Obo. This provided an opportunity to assess the radio’s impact on local populations before and after the installation. Investigators from the local network of IMMAR Research & Consultancy followed a protocol developed by Dr. Jeff Conroy Krutz, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University. This protocol ensured a random selection of adult participants and gender balance. In total, over 1,700 people were interviewed before the transmitters were installed, and more than 1,800 afterwards, within the same communities across the three localities. Measured Impacts Increase in Audience: RNL became the most listened-to radio station in the targeted areas within months of the new transmitters going live. Relevance and Impartiality: 52% of listeners considered RNL’s programs essential to their daily lives. Trust and impartiality scores also improved between the pre- and post-launch periods. Trust in RNL far exceeded that of other locally accessible radio stations. Combating Misinformation: Residents of the three areas reported significantly greater confidence in their ability to distinguish fact from fiction after the installation of the transmitters, which facilitated access to RNL programs." (https://www.hirondelle.org) more

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Edutainment and the prevention of under-age marriages: The evaluation of a television series designed to promote positive role models in Bangladesh

Muhammed Nazmul Islam, Atonu Rabbani, Animesh Talukder, Rubaiya Riya Siddiqua, Sanjana Nujhat, Mushfiqur Rahman, Malabika Sarker

Journal of Development Effectiveness, volume 16, issue 2 (2024), pp. 159-186

"Edutainment intervention is a popular and inexpensive behavioural change communication toolkit to raise positive social norms through broadcast media. We evaluated a 26-episode nationally broadcasted television series targeted to improve attitudes towards preventing child marriage in Bangladesh. We ... more

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Getting There Together: A Synthesis of Inter-Agency Programme Evaluations on SDG 5

Ross Tanner, Carol Boender, Paola Vela

New York: UN Women; UNDP; UNFPA; UNICEF; World Food Programme (WFP) (2024), 32 pp.

"The evaluations point to several dimensions of the strategic significance of joint work. Programmatically, joint programmes enable a more multidimensional and holistic approach to addressing gender inequality. They enhance the catalytic role of the UN by increasing the visibility of and advocacy on ... more

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Impact Assessment: Rural Household Devices Project Program of the Uganda Communications Universal Service Access Fund (UCUSAF)

Evelyn Namara, Ingrid Brudvig

Alexandria, VA; Kampala: Global Digital Inclusion Partnership; Uganda Communications Commission (2024), 46 pp.

"The impact assessment underscores the commendable achievements of the Rural Household Devices project. By December 2023, the initiative had successfully reached 54 districts and impacted 10,706 households. The outcomes are multifaceted and transformative, with a substantial number of beneficiaries ... more

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SACMID Evaluation: An Evaluation of SACMID’s Activities Within the PRIMED Project

Paco Mens, Akriti Saraswat

Free Press Unlimited (2023), 16 pp. + annexes

"The South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID), addresses gender disparity both within the workplace and media content. Its main focus is utilizing the Gender Media Monitoring Tool to tackle these issues. The data collected through media monitoring is subsequently employed for advocacy ini ... more

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Moldova Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion, and Accountability (MEDIA-M): Performance Evaluation

Sergiu Galitchi, Victoria Rosa, Pavel Sarghi, Maia Giorbelidze

USAID; Integra Government Services International (2023), 134 pp.

"The purpose of evaluating the Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion, and Accountability in Moldova (MEDIA-M) activity is to assist the United States Agency for International Development in Moldova (USAID/Moldova) in understanding the extent to which the activity is on track to contribute to the Missi ... more

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Bridging the gap between classroom and newsroom: Experiences from collaboration of capacity building in media and academia

Jonas Nyman

Fojo Media Institute (2023), 13 pp.

"In spring of 2023 Fojo commissioned an internal report to map out the organisation’s past and present engagements with higher education institutions (HEIs) and academia. In autumn 2023 this report is being published as a Fojo Media Insight with the aim of sharing the organisational learning from ... more

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#MbungeLive: Findings from an evaluation study

Twaweza East Africa (2023), 13 pp.

The #MbungeLive screenings involved a public display of a 45-minute documentary on an MP's role and performance, conducted from April to September 2019 before local government elections. The documentaries were produced in 17 constituencies, and included a balance of MPs from all major political part ... ies with representation in Parliament and a balance of male and female MPs. Each show focused on the local MP's accountability to their constituency by describing the issues prevalent in the constituency, the promises made by the MP during the previous (2015) elections, and the extent to which the MP has fulfilled these promises. They also described MP’s constitutional roles and responsibilities and included interviews with residents of the constituency and the MP. The show was publicly displayed in selected wards in each constituency. The purpose of the shows was to promote dialogue and understanding between citizens and their MPs and to encourage citizens to hold their MPs to account for their performance. But the major objective was to influence MP behaviour – to make MPs more accessible and responsive to their constituents, through the accountability pressure of a public show and consequent changes in expectations among citizens. It was partly prompted by the decision taken in 2016 to stop live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings. This brief presents findings from a survey of citizens' knowledge and attitude towards their MP before and after watching the documentary. How did the experience alter citizens' understanding of their MP's actions or attitude towards the MP's performance? And more generally, how did citizens perceive the role of MPs and their performance? Did they feel like their MP listens to their concerns? [...] Key findings include: After watching the documentary, constituents are more likely to say their MP is willing to fulfil these promises. After watching the documentary, constituents are more likely to say their MP listens to citizens' opinions and concerns. After watching the documentary, constituents are more optimistic about whether their MP has fulfilled their promises. After watching the documentary, constituents felt much better informed about the promises made by their MP prior to the 2015 election. Most constituents have never contacted their MP either in person or through the phone. Constituents like to see their MP representing their interests in Parliament but are unsure how much this happens. Constituents don't distinguish between the MP and the government generally; MPs are seen as responsible for implementation of service delivery. Constituents expect their MPs to collaborate more with other local stakeholders. Constituents feel that their MPs are largely absent from the constituency. Constituents would like to hear more from their MP directly on the work they have been doing (Introduction, pages 2-4) more

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Meta-Synthesis of UN Women Evaluations on Advocacy and Communications

Ekaterina Dorodnykh, Soo Yeon Kim, Aileen Allen

New York; Independent Evaluation Service (IES): UN Women (2023), ix, 32 pp.

"This meta-synthesis collates evaluation insights and evidence on the advocacy and communications efforts related to the key results areas of UN Women’s Strategic Plan: Governance and Participation in Public Life; Women’s Economic Empowerment; Ending Violence Against Women; and Women, Peace and ... more

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Evaluation findings report: A norms and behaviour change campaign targeting employers of child domestic workers in Ethiopia

Eric Vaughan, Catharine Russell

Altai Consulting; Freedom Fund (2023), 39 pp.

"Child domestic workers (CDWs) in Ethiopia tend to face challenging working conditions with limited access to education. Child domestic work refers to live-in or live-out work done in a household where the child’s biological parents do not reside and which often but does not always include some fo ... rm of remuneration. Child domestic work is common in Addis Ababa as it serves as an entry point into the labour market for girls migrating from rural to urban areas in Ethiopia (Erulkar et al., 2017). Indeed, a recent study estimated the prevalence of domestic work among girls aged 12–17 in Addis Ababa to be 37% (Erulkar et al., 2022). Though domestic work is not necessarily a harmful form of child labour, CDWs in Ethiopia often face mistreatment and abuse from their employers (Population Council and Freedom Fund, 2021). This mistreatment is linked to broader social norms which place CDWs as inferior and less worthy than other members of the household. In an effort to change norms and behaviours towards the treatment of CDWs, the Freedom Fund implemented a norms and behavioural change campaign (NBCC) in 2022. The NBCC targeted employers of CDWs in Addis Ababa. It was funded through the Program to End Modern Slavery, an initiative of the United States Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and was part of the Freedom Fund’s broader ‘Reducing the Prevalence of Child Domestic Servitude in Ethiopia’ programme. Based on the findings of formative research, the main objectives of the NBCC were to shift norms and behaviours relating to CDWs’ working conditions and access to education. [...] The NBCC reached 57% of employers interviewed during the baseline. Television was by far the main medium through which respondents were exposed to the campaign (95%) followed by online media (13%), physical posters (13%), and community discussions (6%). Using data on recall of campaign materials and participation in campaign activities, respondents were classified into three categories based on level of exposure: no exposure (43%), low exposure (17%), and high exposure (40%). The NBCC’s reach appears to have been uneven as younger respondents, women, and those with more education tended to have a higher level of exposure. Survey findings emphasised the differences in working conditions and access to school between CDWs who are related to their employer and those who are not. Whereas some CDWs are recruited as domestic workers, others are relatives of their employer (for example, a niece) and have been sent by their family to live in Addis Ababa. Those in the first category tend to work longer hours, as reported by their employer (35 per week compared to 24 for those related to their employer) and are less likely to be enrolled in school (25% compared to 75%)." (Executive summary) more

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2023 Synthesis of UNESCO Evaluations

Meenakshi Sankar et al.

Paris: UNESCO (2023), 69 pp.

"The 2023 Synthesis of UNESCO evaluations draws on information contained in 36 evaluations – five corporate and 31 decentralized evaluations. The analysis shows that the Organization is making good progress in a range of areas including demonstrating a sharper focus on SDGs, developing fast as an ... more

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Write for Rights 2022 Campaign Report

Amnesty International (2023), 62 pp.

"For the twenty-second consecutive year, Write for Rights activities took place across the world. While online actions continued to increase, we also saw a major return to offline events, as Covid 19 restrictions were lifted in most countries. From running marathons in Zimbabwe, to music concerts in ... more

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Inspiring the Next Generation of Independent Media in Pakistan. Final Evaluation Report

Saeed Ullah Khan, Mahe Nau Haider, Tehreem Tussaud, Zara Naveed, Aaftab Ullah et al.

Search for Common Ground; GLOW Consultants (2023), 34 + xiii pp. (annexes)

"The project design, interventions, and targeting in the two provinces of Pakistan aligned with the challenging context, especially in high-risk border districts with Afghanistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where conflict dynamics and security challenges are prevalent, the project is hig ... hly relevant. It offers a platform for youth and women journalists to report on conflict-related issues, enriching public discourse. The evolving media landscape in these regions, marked by increased demand for diverse voices, makes the project's empowerment of underrepresented groups crucial. Focusing on youth and women journalists, the project provides training, resources, and support tailored to their unique needs. It prioritizes inclusivity by considering gender and ethnic diversity, contributing to a pluralistic media landscape. By empowering these journalists to report on conflict and peacebuilding, the project aligns with the region's needs and furthers local perspectives on peace solutions. The project's effectiveness can be assessed in terms of its objectives, capacity-building impact, promotion of conflict-sensitive journalism, and fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for women journalists. This effectiveness was maintained despite a shift in implementation modality and a no-cost extension. Training and mentorship led to improved skills and balanced reporting on conflict-related issues, fulfilling the primary objective of responsible journalism. The project enhanced the capacity of press clubs, journalists, and universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, fostering openness and collaboration. By incorporating conflict-sensitive journalism into curricula, the project enriched journalism education and training. The project cultivated ethical reporting, sensitivity to local contexts, and diverse perspectives, contributing to understanding and peace. It empowered women journalists to work safely and independently, gaining industry support and increasing their professional capabilities. Intermediate impact assessments highlight the positive influence on the professional lives of women and youth journalists, their prominent roles in the media, and the integration of conflict sensitivity in journalism practices in target regions. The project improved job prospects, self-confidence, and balanced reporting for many participants. It promoted the active participation of youth and women in the media sector, breaking gender and age barriers. Journalists adopted a more responsible approach to conflict-related reporting, showing increased awareness of their impact on tensions. The project fostered a supportive community of practice, encouraged discussion on the media's role in peace-building, and addressed potential risks faced by women journalists. To ensure project sustainability, capacity-building, mentorship, and stakeholder engagement are prioritized. Skills and knowledge are imparted to journalists, press club members, and faculty to continue promoting conflict-sensitive journalism. Mentorship relationships will persist, with experienced journalists guiding emerging talents. Local partners, universities, press clubs, and media houses have embraced the project's initiatives, ensuring their longevity. Universities have incorporated conflict-sensitive journalism into curricula, and press clubs provide enduring platforms for collaboration and professional growth. Government support for ethical journalism and inclusivity indicates a long-term commitment to the project's principles and objectives." (Conclusions, page 32) more

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Greater Internet Freedom: Performance Evaluation

Anna Solovyeva, Catherine Coyer, Jessica Wallach, Samantha Austin

Washington, DC; Chicago: USAID; University of Chicago, NORC (2023), vi, 106 pp.

"This performance evaluation assesses selected thematic areas of the Greater Internet Freedom (GIF) project, a global activity designed to enhance digital security for civil society and media and increase citizen engagement in governing the Internet. The evaluation uses a mixed-methods approach incl ... more

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Evaluating Use of Mass-Media Communication Intervention ‘MTV-Shuga’ on Increased Awareness and Demand for HIV and Sexual Health Services by Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa: An Observational Study

Natsayi Chimbindi, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Chidumwa, Thembelihle Zuma, Jaco Dreyer

BMJ Open, volume 13, issue e062804 (2023), 12 pp.

"Objective: To investigate the effect of exposure to 'MTV Shuga:Down South’ (MTVShuga-DS) during the scale-up of combination HIV-prevention interventions on awareness and uptake of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV-prevention services by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) [...] Conclus ... more

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Talking about poverty: Lessons learnt

York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF); Rights Evaluation Studio (2023), ii, 98 pp.

"The Talking about Poverty (TaP) project, which ran from 2016 to 2021, aimed to develop a more effective way of communicating about UK poverty through ‘framing’ – an evidence-based communications strategy. For this project, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) worked with the FrameWorks Instit ... ute, which is a not-for-profit communications research organisation based in the United States. In 2021, a sister organisation, FrameWorks UK, was established in the United Kingdom (UK), which focuses on supporting mission-driven organisations to apply strategic communications research in practice. The TaP project set out to understand the public’s attitudes to poverty in the UK and used insight from research with 20,000 people (Volmert et al, 2016) to develop ways to talk about poverty in a more effective way. To challenge the unhelpful narratives identified in the research, the project developed an evidence-based communications strategy (‘poverty framing’) to increase the public’s understanding of UK poverty and provide support for measures to address it. [...] There are some key development areas for future framing projects such as stronger project planning and management, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability planning. However, the TaP project made PWLE who were engaged in the project feel more hopeful about the future and confident that the project would have a positive, accumulative effect on how poverty is being talked about in public discourse, with some indications that the project may have had some influence in the media and the House of Commons. The TaP project created a buzz in the third sector and was credited with helping to build a movement, leading to a more co-ordinated sector. While we identified a need and desire to engage the third sector and PWLE earlier on in the project, the vast majority of third sector partners and allies who were engaged in our evaluation both valued and used the framing in their work, crediting the framing with adding more dignity, positivity and effectiveness to their communications. The TaP project brought hundreds of organisations together for the Keep the Lifeline campaign and provided a robust and evidence-based communications strategy for their internal staff and external allies." (Executive summary, pages 3-6) more